Events

I bet you like the Internet, huh? Yeah, I do too. And guess what the Internet as we know it could go up in flames depending on how an FCC vote goes on December 14th. This means video games, websites and essentially everything else on the web will be at the mercy of Internet service providers like Comcast & Verizon. This CANNOT happen. So, the steps to preventing the FCC going though with its plan to trash net neutrality rules is to call your congress man/lady. With enough calls we may be able to prevent this travesty. Follow the directions below:

Call your county’s representative:

Ventura County friends call the number below:

Rep. Julia Brownley

Phone: 202-225-5811

Los Angeles County friends call the number below:

Rep. Brad Sherman

Phone: 202-225-5911

What to say:

‘I support “Title Two” net neutrality rules and I urge you to oppose the FCC’s plan to repeal them. Specifically, I’d like you to contact the FCC Chairman and demand he abandon his current plan.’

Fingers crossed that this doesn’t pass. Otherwise, RIP LNG.

Despite the urge to check myself into psychiatric care, the three and a half day rager through Austin, TX with bachelor boy Clayton Saiger and a crew of 12 other maniacs created memories I’ll never forget.

Besides eating pig ass from Banger’s, everyone had an absolute blast tubing, party boating and just hanging out with the boys. The fact that no one got too crazy or belligerent is also a huge plus since we went pretty hard in the paint…

A couple Cokes will take care of my mind-bender of a hangover.

Besides the insane, 4-hour line to get into the Los Angeles Convention Center, Anime Expo 2017 was everything my girlfriend and I wanted it to be.

The Exhibit Hall was breathtaking. Every type of booth and vendor could be found there. Sadly, huge lines snaked the Atlus and Bandai Namco booths, so Audrey and I had to check them out from afar. A Colossus Titan loomed over the show floor from the Kodansha location. One of the big merch trends this year were the mystery boxes filled with random merchandise. It’s a genius business model! I folded and picked one up.

Cosplayers ruled the walk ways and were always photo-ready. Audrey and I got a pic with a couple of inflatable Pikachus. Incredibly detailed costumes were also out in full force. Intricate Gundam suits made their rounds alongside Survey Corps members complete with vertical maneuvering gear.

We managed to grab some seats in a viewing room where Audrey watched her first anime ever. It was an episode of “One Piece” and thank god it wasn’t too outrageous. There is a possibility she wasn’t scared away forever!

I think we might go back next year. It’s clear that the badge pick-up system for the event needs updating so the line isn’t super long but the expo itself is so memorable and fun.

After a last-minute ticket purchase, my girlfriend and I were all set off to go to the highly anticipated show featuring The Lemon Twigs, Mac Demarco and Phoenix. The seats were relatively cheap but far away from the stage, equivalent to nose-bleed seats at a sporting event. Luckily, the Bowl’s sound system is amazing, so the incredible distance isn’t quite a factor.

Anyway, we arrive to the venue with plenty of time to spare before the opening band, Lemon Twigs, started to play. One thing to note, NOBODY showed up on time. Patrons would rather wait till darkness then fumble around trying to find their seats, completely destroying the atmosphere of the already-sitting people. Moreover, Twigs started playing, they sounded like a ’60s band, wasn’t into it. Moving on. Their set ended and we got up to get Cokes, it was a great idea.

As soon as my girl and I got back to the seats with sodas in hand, Mac DeMarco took the stage leading off the set with “On The Level.” Fantastic new song. Sip, sip of soda. Mac and the boys played their take on Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles.” Fucking hilarious. They closed the set with “Chamber of Reflection” from their earlier album “Salad Days.”

Phoenix brought the house down with their clean sound and new material! Although, I haven’t heard to much from the band’s latest album, “Ti Amo,” I was instantly hooked hearing the new stuff live. And, of course, they played plenty of the classics like “1901” and “Lisztomania.”  I have to be honest though, the new stuff sounds much fuller then the older material. I almost forgot the mention the stage setup. A mirror, facing the audience, was positioned above the band at a 45 degree angle, so the audience could see the the band’s heads. The platform Phoenix was standing on was a large screen. The audience could see the reflection  at Phoenix’s feet. Anyway that was so fucking hard to explain…

I had a couple gripes with the outing. People would not shut the fuck up during Phoenix’s performance. Pretty much nonstop yelling/talking throughout the whole show. Please have so respect for the people who want to watch genius musicians play some music! Plus, as we were leaving the Bowl people decided they wanted to PUSH through the crowed, creating a dangerous situation because we were going down a steep ass hill.

All in all, it was a blast seeing them on such short notice. I’ll try and post some pictures if I ever figure out how to use WordPress.